Vacuum cleaner with bag ejector



June 16, 1953 1.. P. BORKOSKI ET AL VACUUM CLEANER WITH BAG EJECTOR Filed May 11, 1951 '4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORS LEON I? BORKOSKI ROBERT C. LAMPE ATTORNEY Patented June 16, 1953 VACUUM CLEANER WITH BAG EJECTOR Leon P. Borkos ki and Robert 0. Lampe, Stamford, Conn., assignors to Electrolux Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application May 11, 1951, Serial No. 225,848

Claims. (01.183-62) This invention relates to a vacuum or suction type cleaner having automatic controls. More particularly, it embraces an automatically conditioned tank type cleaner having self-contained control mechanisms for removing accumulated dirt in packaged form readied for immediate disposal. With this cleaner the dirt entrained in the incoming air suction stream is collected in a porous disposable bag located within the cleaner and when the collected dirt effects a predetermined change in the operating efiiciency of the cleaner, the latter automatically shuts itself oil and disposes of the dirt filled bag by ejecting the latter from the cleaner. I

It is a major object of this invention to provide a new and improved vacuum cleaner having automatic means for disposing of dust and dirt by ejecting from the cleaner a self-sealing porous and disposable paper bag filled with dust and dirt separated from the suction air stream during normal operation of the cleaner, utilizing a simple mechanical release means to effect the necessary steps.

It is a further and important object hereof to provide automatically and sequentially p0- sitioned holding means for setting a releasing device into its operating position.

Another object is to provide a simple relatch preventing device which assures dust bag ejection. s

A still further object of this invention is to provide a device which avoids the inconveniences I,

present in the conventional suction type of vacuum cleaning device using the customary cloth or paper dust bag which periodically necessitates indiscriminate removal or replacement inorder to maintain a semblance-of efficient operation,

such bag removal steps being heretofore effected manually and with considerable difficulty an discomfiture to the operator.

Still other and further objects will be disclosed hereinbelow or will become evident to those skilled in the art after a careful study of'the following description together Withthfi appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete cleaner as seen from the air intake end, together with its conventional hose, Wand and nozzle;

Figure 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 and more clearly shown as taken on the line 22 of Fig. 3;

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the'ejector Figure 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 2 showing the front assembly partially released;

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 showing the front assembly completely released,.the pivoted restraining latch having been released and the dust bag ejected preparatory to falling on the floor; and

Figure 7 is a Wiring diagram including some of the pneumatic controls.

It is a feature of this invention that the functioning of the cleaner in its dust disposal capacity is automatic, self-contained and after being once initiated by the establishment of predetermined changes in the operational characteristics of the air suction stream within the cleaner, the entire sequence of operations terminating in the ejection of the dust-filled bag is effected in a series of steps. Thus, with continued dust collection during the regular operation of the cleaner, a pressure difference is gradually built up within the cleaner between the inside and the outside of the dust collecting bag. This results in a continuous and progressively increasing force being exerted upon a pressure differential measuringdiaphragm, the opposite sides of which are subjected to the different pressures built up on the outside and inside of the dust bag, the chamber on one side of the diaphragm being connected to an opening communicating with the clean side of the dust bag, the chamber on the other side of the diaphragm being connected to'an opening communicating with the dirty side of the dust bag. Then, upon the attainment of a predetermined value in the resultant force exerted upon the pressure difierential diaphragm, motion is. imparted to this diaphragm and at a predetermined distortion the diaphragm conditions means which sets into operation a series or sequence of steps (electrically actuated, pneumatically actuated, me-

chanically actuated, etc., etc.) which sequence when once initiated culminates finally in the ejection of the dust-filled bag from the cleaner housing.

In a preferred embodiment, the difierential ond diaphragm which, operating through a seriesof linkages, (1) makes possible the selective positioning of a member which thereafter is in condition to prevent relatching and for subsequent operation and release of its newly assumed ejector restraining and latching function; and (2) in timed relation therewith this second diaphragm substantially simultaneously, or shortly thereafter, releases a dust conveying inlet conduit from operative communication with its dust receptacle. Then, the conduit after a predetermined angular travel towards its fully released position in turn breaks a circuit cutting off the power supply to the motor fan unit. Continued travel of the conduit towards substantially fully opened position then actuates mechanical means which releases the previously selectively positioned member whereupon the ejector mechanism for actually discharging the bag is free to act, and the dust-filled bag is expelled from the cleaner housing and deposited upon the floor. During these dust conduit releasing steps, the timely breaking of the motor fan circuit results a progressive deceleration of the motor speed and consequently the air suction stream also progressively decreases to a value at which highly effective bag ejection is more readily attained.

Thus in accordance with this preferred embodiment of the invention, automatic dust bag ejection is effected by mechanical means, after being initiated by a tripping mechanism including a pressure differential measuring device which actuates a responsive triggering app-aratus. The pressure differential measuring device is conditioned for operation by apparatus utilizing the air pressure difference built up within the cleaner casing by dust layers collected in the dust bag. The pressure difference is established between the inside and outside of the dust collecting bag, increases progressively with continuing dust collection, and is communicated therefrom by appropriate conduit means throughout the dust collecting process.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, vacuum cleaner housing l0, Fig. 1, is a hollow casing having a handle M. It is appropriately supported on a pair of runners l2. The suction or inlet portion of the casing I is provided with an inlet nozzle |3a and wand 13b together with a suitable flexible hose l3, and connecting coupling I4 fitted into a movable hose coupling assembly -|5 which is anteriorly mounted by parallel linkage including front end assembly l6. Front assembly l6, Figs. 2, 3 is hinged at I! to front body ring 20 and biased to open position by spring i8; assembly l6 effects with casing l0 an airtight seal formed by rubber sealing ring member 19, cardboard disc 3|, Fig. 3, of dust bag 39 and sealing ring 22 positioned in the bag insertion opening of front body ring 20. Tubular member 2| of the hose coupling assembly |5 extends through the opening 32, Fig. 3, cut in cardboard disc 3| well into the dust collecting receptacle 30, and is sealed against disc 3| by rubber sealing ring l9. Switch button |0a on the upper front surface of cleaner housing |0 provides the on-and-off manual control for the cleaner unit.

A perforated inner housing 23 is affixed at one end to front body ring 20 and is adapted for supporting dust bag 30 (of disposable paper or, if desired, cloth construction). This entire unit (inner housing 23, body ring 20, etc.) is :slidably fitted within the open end of cleaner housing '10 and is affixed thereto by suitable retaining screws. In the embodiment shown, the housing 23, reinforced by lateral stiffening plates and base rods 26, is substantially rectangular in cross-section and is thus adapted to take a bag of substantially similar but slightly smaller crosssection 30, Figs. 3 and 6.

Dust bag 30, Fig. 3, comprises a dust receptacle of paper or similarly air-pervious, dust-impervious, material 33 affixed at its mouth to the rear surface of a hard paper or cardboard disc 3|, the latter being clamped between rubber sealing ring IQ of hose coupling assembly l5 and the open end of front body-ring 20 with the aid of sealing ring 22. Cardboard disc 3| has a central opening 32 through which tubular member "2| is inserted in order to introduce the air and entrained dust directly into the interior of dust bag 30.

The entire inner surface of perforated inner housing or dust bag receiving compartment 23 is provided with apertures 21, Figs. 2 and 3, in order to permit free passage of suction air current therethrough and into chamber 40.- The suction air current then passes to the rear of the vacuum cleaner housing ||l containing the motor fan compartment which has a conventional fan and motor unit mounted therein.

The dust ejector mechanism 5|, Figs. 2 and 3, for operating the bag ejector plate 52 includes a flat or leaf spring 53 which canbe bowed :or folded back on itself, Fig. 3, into fully flexed (loaded) condition by pushing back the ejector plate 52 into its latching position. Dust bag ejector plate 52 is hingedly attached by pin 54 to the front end of flat spring 53, Figs. 3 and 6, while the rear or fixed end of fiat spring 53 is hingedly attached by pin 55, Fig. 3, to rear mounting member 56. ably mounted by sleeve 52a on guide rod 51 which maintains plate 52 oriented correctly throughout its region of travel. The rear wall 500i dust bag reeciving compartment 23 is affixed to the rear end of perforated inner housing '23 and has a slot 6| cut therein to receive a tongue 56a Whichrigidly supports rear mounting member. 56 of the ejector mechanism 5|. Suitable bulkheads are provided within the outer housing II to adequately support and align inner housing member 23.

The ejector plate 52 of ejector mechanism-5|, is held in spring loaded position by releasable latching means which engages a depending lug.

52?), Fig. 2, and shown more clearly in Fig. 3. Lug 52b is integral with plate 52 and sleeve 52a and engages spring latch 62 when plate 52 is pushed back into loaded position, see Fig. 3.-

Spring latch -62 is affixed at one end to latch bar 63, and moves-over a limited range therewith while simultaneously travelling down the inclined edge 56b, Fig. 3, -of the cam bracket portion 560 of rear mounting member 55 and towards the end of its travel, spring latch 62 slips under the bottom edge of depending lug 52b whereupon ejector mechanism 5| is released to effect dust bag ejection. Latch bar 63 is slida'bl-y mounted on guide rod 51, at one end by sleeve 63a, Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 6, and at the other by apertured upwardly bent end portion 63b, Figs. 2 and 3.

The particular details of one embodiment for a restraining mechanism adapted to control the movement of latch bar 63 is clearly shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6 especially when considered together with Figs. 2 and 3. In these figures, preliminary latch bar restraining and releasing pin Ejector plate 52 is s1id- 10, Fig. 4, biased to latching position by leaf, spring 101), projects through an opening formed in, base-plate 80. Pin ,IQ is adapted by axial imovement to be withdrawn-from its latch bar restraining position (Fig. 3 in full and Fig. 4) to its latch bar releasing position (shown in phantom in Fig. 3 and in a. later position Fig. 5) The above latch bar restraining and releasing pin for controlling operation of the ejector mechanism is operated by cooperative association with appropriate selectively operable triggering mechanism. Thus, pin 10, is adapted to be selectively moved from its normal position to its withdrawn position (shown in phantom, Fig. 3) by latch release arm 'fulcrumed at 15a and actuated by link 254. The withdrawal of other feature of this double latching mechanism,

from relatching by the trigger action (above de' pin 70 releases for counterclockwise rotation pin retaining finger BG Fig. 4, which, in the form of a lever arm fulcrumedon shaftBIlb and af-' fixed thereto to moveas a unit withfpawl or restraining lug 98c, functions to prevent relatching of latch bar 63 by pin 10. The entire pin retaining unit, 900, .etc., is spring biasedto effect this movement by spring 90d (see phantom, view, Fig. 3, and perspectiveview, Fig. 4). .This

selective withdrawal of pin 10 is effected by a1 J.to-.

matic triggering initiated by pneumatically actuated means 2563 (described below and in considerably more detail in patent application Serial No. 140,394, filed January 25, 1950), and transmittedthrough link 254. V

' Terminal latch bar restraining and releasing finger 960i is held in restraining position by one end of lever es and is movedto releasing position (shown in Fig. 6) only by the further substantial movement stages of the opened front end assembly I6 and/orv parallel linked hose coupling assembly I5 efifecting actuation oflever 90 through contact with the edge of vassembly I 6 (see Figs. 5 and 6) Thus the above-mentioned selective posi-v tioning of pin 16 resultsin the superpositioning of retaining finger 96a (see phantom view,Fig. 3) above pin 16 to retain the latter in releasing position out of the path of latch bar 63. In this position lever 90 will be capable when the edge of 16 actuates the free end of lever arm 90 to effect thereleasing of lug 900, unit 90a, etc., and

thus enable fiatspring 53 to effect the additional movement of latch bar 63 necessary to cause spring latch 62 to release lug 52b and effect bag ejection, Fig. 6.

vWith this particular latching device for restraining the ejectormechanism 5i, plate 521 is held in loaded position until assembly I8 and/or assembly I5 have undergone a substantial movement. Assembly I6 is held closed by latch I68, Figs. 2, 3,5 and 6; latch Iilll is fulcrumed at [Ill and biased to latching position by spring I02. I

The cleaner housing I0 may be opened for inspection of the bag and its contents, however, Without necessarily ejecting the dust'bag by manually lifting the externally protruding end I060 of latch I00, Figs. 1, 2, and 3, thereby releasing the front end assembly I6. Theneven though the release of pawl llflcby lever arm 90 is subsequently effected upon the opening of the front assembly It to its full extent, since pin lilmost likely will not have been selectively positioned (withdrawn) to latch bar releasing position, therefore pin 'Il) willstill restrain latch bar 63 and hence ejector 5| from discharging the dust bag. Normal position of pin l0 thus serves asan auxiliary safety latch preventing the dust bag in either full or empty condition from being ejected upon merely man ally op Fla t ite ,sssem lr 16- scribed) which must be previously efiected by suitable control mechanism, namely the actuation of the pneumatically operated devicell (see phantom view, Figs. 3 and 4).

It is to be noted that pneumatically operated device 250 in addition to triggering pin I6 and setting the mechanism for the subsequent release view Fig. 3).

of ejector restraining latch bar 63 also releases, substantially simultaneously, the cover retaining latch I06 by actuating arm Iillla, Fig 2 and '7, formed as a part of latch release arm l5, tripping the latch I68 to release member I6 (see phantom The parallel linkage of the hose coupling as sembly I5 to the front ring 26 is most clearly seen in Figs. 2, 3, 5 and 6. There, link I I6 pivoted at I IE to front riIlgZi] and at I ll to hose coupling assembly I5 forms onelink in the parallel linkage while cover I6 fulcrumed at IT to front ring 26 and at I l3 to hose coupling assembly I5 forms the other link. U

Button Illa, Fig. 3, on the upper front surface of housing It operates a circuit make and break "switch II 0, Figs. 3 and'l, of the conventional toggle snap switch type through rocker arm I I I, Fig. 7, pivoted at II2. This button Ilia is locked in off position-when cover I6 is open by pressure exerted by a sliding mechanism I I3 biased to the left, Fig. '7, by spring I I 4. Thus, although but.- ton Illa may be used to start and stop the motor fan unit while the cover 16 remains closed, the opening of cover It with the circuit closed causes a lug I60, Fig. 7, to release slide H3 and inclined surface 56, Fig. 7, actuates a lug 95 on switch button ,Ifla =and moves rocker arm I, Fig. '7, counterclockwise thereby opening the toggle switch circuit, stopping the motor fan unit and otherwisedeenergizing the unit.

. The electrical and pneumatic control units are operatively interrelated. The pneumatic system comprises a pressure differential measuring concasing above the diaphragm is connected by com municating conduit 220,Figs 2 and '7, T-shaped coupling 221 and common conduit 22-5 to opening 239, Figs 2 and 3, etc., and 7, on the clean side ofthe dust bag. The remaining connection from the T-shaped coupling communicates by means of conduit 23I, Fig. '7, with one side of valve 249' comprising valve stem 24I biased nor.- mally to closed position by a spring 352. When valve 24!) is open it communicates high suction to the interior of pneumatically operating triggering device 250, comprising a lower casing 26L Figs. 3, 5, 6, sealed by diaphragm 252, Figs. 2, 7," biased to distended or upward position by. a

spring and capable of actuating tripping mechanism through link member 254.

The electrical system for energizing the motor fan unit and the electrical controls are clearly shown in diagrammatic form in Fig. 7. Vacuum cleaner electrical cord 300 conveys current from the house lines at 110 volts to terminal strips 301' Within the cleaner housing from which one line 302 goes to motor 303, the other line goes to motor 393 through a circuit including line 385 on-andoff switch 3H3, line 3 H and line M3. The circuit for energizing the electrical controls comprises line 320, solenoid 325, line 326, switch 321 of pressure differential pneumatic control unit 200, and line 328 to the house circuit through the cleaner cord Silt. The switch 327 of pressure differential pneumatic control unit 2&6 includes a biasing spring which may also serve as a conducting element and for maintaining the switch normally open between the terminals 321.

In detail and particularly with respect to the operation of the. pneumatic and electrical controls and referring especially to Fig. 7 where details of structure are illustrated, the force exerted on the pressure differential membrane of switch 280 progressively increases with continued dust collection, until it attains suflicient value to actuate switching means 321 and complete a circuit by closing contacts therein and thereby energize electromagnet 325. The armature 350 of solenoid 325 fulcrumed at EM and biased by spring 352 to hold valve 259 closed, then opens valve 240 allowing high suction to operate diaphragm 252 which in turn through link 254 and latch pin releas arm 15, etc., selectively positions pin 10 so that pin 10 is prevented from relatching, first by pin retaining finger Sea (see Fig. 3, phantom view) and then later by the underside of superpositioned latch bar 63 (see Fig. 5 where finger 99a, cam 900, etc., have been interposed to effect a terminal latch bar restraining mechanism). The actual triggering of terminal latch bar retaining finger 90a, cam 990, etc., is subsequently effected by the more substantial movement or more cornplete opening of cover It which finally actuates lever 90 (Fig. 6) to release cam 980., This frees latch bar 63 for further forward travel, causes latch spring 62 to ride down the inclined edge 5% of cam bracket 560 to release lug 5229 holding ejection plate 52. Substantially simultaneously, lever arm ltlla, Figs. 2 and '7, trips cover releasing latch I09 which holds cover assembly 2% closed against spring tension. The release of cover 16 first breaks a circuit at the contact points of switch 3H Fig. '7, by lug I60 releasing sliding mechanism H3 which latter is biased by spring H4 to throw switch M0 to on position, Fig. 3, and especially Fig. 7, thereby deenergizing the motor fan unit. Thereafter the front cover continues its opening movement and after moving substantially 90, mechanical triggering mechanism comprising lever 90 releases latch bar retaining finger 98a, 9%, etc. (see Fig. 6), releasing the bag ejector mechanism 51 through a previously traced series of steps, allowing the bag ejector plate 52, Figs. 2 and 3, to push the bag forward and throw the bag and its contained dirt out of the cleaner casing.

The ejector plate 52 moves forward and outward when released until arrested by the extended length of fiat spring 53, Figs. 3 and 6. The momentum of the moving dust-filled bag causes it to continue onward in its own trajectory out of the. cleaner casing after which it comes to rest on the floor. 7

The reloading or repositioning of ejector mechanism 51' so as to ready the cleaner for the insertion of a clean bag (see Fig. 3) is effected by pushing ejector plate 52 manually all the way back intQ the cleaner housing until lug 52b passes over and beyond the restraining edge of spring latch 62; then, by continuing the backward travel of ejector plate 5-2, depending lug 52b strikes upwardly extending portion 63b of latchbar 63'and the entire latch bar 63 is moved sufficiently far back so as toallow pin 10 (biased upwardly by pin spring 10b)- to rise until the forward end of latch bar 63 is securely held against pin- 10 (see Fig. 3).

his to be understood that the specific embodi-- ment herein described in considerable detail is merely an illustrative embodiment of the inven--' tion which is to be limited in scope solely by the:

appended claims.

What we claim is:

1. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing enclosing a dust bag compartment, an opening in said compartment, a dust bag insertable into said compartment through said opening and being formed with an inlet aperture, an inlet conduit for communicating with said aperture, releasable means for movably securing said conduit to said housing, means for ejecting said dust bag, restraining means for preventing operation of said. bag ejecting means, latching means for holding said restraining means in bag retaining position, a selectively movable member settable to a position preventing relatching of the restraining means by saidv latching means, means responsive to the establishment of a predetermined pressure differenoe between the inside and outside of said dust bag for setting said selectively operable member to said above-mentioned posi--' tion, and means responsive substantially simultaneously with the setting of said selectively operable member for releasing said conduit securing means.

2. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing enclosing a dust bag compartment, an opening in said compartment, a dust bag insertable' into said compartment through said opening and being formed with an inlet aperture, an inlet conduit for communicating with said aperture, releasable means for movably securing said conduit to said hous-- ing, means for ejecting saiddust bag, restraining means for preventing operation of said bag ejecting. means, latching means for holding said restraining means in bag retaining position, a selectively movable member normally inoperative but selectively settable to a position preventing relatching of the restraining means by said latching means and conditioning said member for restraining said bag ejecting means and upon subsequent release permitting operationof said bag. ejecting means, means responsive to the establishment. of a predetermined pressure difierence between the inside and outside of said dust bag for setting said selectively operable member to said above-mentioned releasing posi-- tion, means responsive substantially simultane-- ously with the setting of said selectively oper-- able member for releasing said conduit securing means, and. further means responsive to the further movement of said conduit for efiecting the release of said selectively operable member to eject said dust bag.

3.. In a vacuum cleaner", a housing enclosing a dust bag compartment, an opening in said compartment, a, dust bag insertable into said compartment through said opening and being formed with an inlet aperture, an inlet conduit for communicating with said aperture, releasable means for movably securing said conduit to said housing, means for ejecting said dust bag,flrestraining means for preventing operation of said bag ejecting means, a selectively movable member settable to a position preventing relatching of the restraining means and conditioning said member for restraining said bag ejecting means and upon subsequent release permitting operation of said bag ejecting means, a slidable restraining barhaving a latch at one end and at the other end an abutment arrested by said restraining means, release of said abutment by said first-mentioned restraining means conditioning said member for restraining said bar and preventing the first-mentioned restraining means from relatching said bar, means responsive to the establishment of a. predetermined pressure difference between the inside and outside of said dust bag for setting said selectively operable member to said above-mentioned position, means responsive substantially simultaneously with the setting of said selectively operable member for releasing said conduit securing means, and further means responsive to the further movement of said conduit for eiiecting the release of said selectively operable member to eject said dust bag.

4. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing enclosing a dust bag compartment, an opening in said compartment, a dust bag insertable into said compartment through said opening and being formed with an inlet aperture, an inlet conduit for communicating with said aperture, releasable means for movably securing said conduit to said hous ing, means for ejecting said dust bag, restraining means for preventing operation of said bag ejecting means, latching means for holdingsaid restraining means in bag retaining position, a selectively movable spring biased cam member settable to a position preventing relatching of the restraining means by said latching'means, a movable restraining bar having said restraining means at one end and at the other end an abutment arrested by said latching means, release of said abutment by movement of said latching means conditioning said member for restraining said bar and preventing the latching means from relatching said bar, pneumatic means responsive to the establishment of a predetermined pressure difference between the inside and outside of said dust bag for setting said selectively operable cam member to said above-mentioned position, means responsive substantially simultaneously with the setting of said selectively operable cam member for releasing said conduit securing means, and further means responsive to the further movement of said conduit for effecting the release of said selectively operable cam member to eject said dust bag.

5. In a vacuum cleaner, a housing enclosing a dust bag compartment, an opening in said compartment, a dust bag insertable into said compartment through said opening and being formed with an inlet aperture, an inlet conduit for communicating with said aperture, releasable means for movably securing said conduit to said housing, means for ejecting said dust bag, restraining means for preventing operation of said bag ejecting means, latching means for holding said restraining means in bag retaining position, a selectively movable spring biased cam member settable to a position preventing relatching of the restraining means by saidlatching means, a movable restraining bar having restraining means at one end and at the other end an abutment arrested by said latching means, release of said abutment by movement of said latching means conditioning said member for releasably restraining said bar and preventing the latching means from relatching saidbar, pneumatic means responsive to the establishment of a predetermined pressure difference between the inside and outside of said dust bag for setting saidselectively operable cam member to said above-mentioned position, means responsive substantially simultaneously with the setting of said selectively operable cam member for releasing said conduit securing means, and further means responsive to the further movement of said conduit for eifecting the release of said selectively operable cam member to eject said dust bag, and additional References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,564,467 Cranmer Aug. 14, 1951 

